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The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

Defector Media
The Distraction: A Defector Podcast
Latest episode

301 episodes

  • The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

    What If We Tried To Win? with Justin Halpern

    07/16/2026 | 1h 3 mins.
    Justin Halpern (writer/producer, Abbott Elementary, Sh*t My Dad Says) has a new book, Get Lost, and he here’s to talk about how he wrote it with Drew and Roth. But first, Roth and Justin must commiserate about the Mets, and Drew gets recognized on the beach. Then, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from Defector readers and Distraction listeners.

    Go get Justin’s new book, Get Lost, out now!

    Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

    Stuff We Talked About
    Dapping in the toilet
    Witch doctors & geodesic domes
    Getting your kid to read your book
    A getting-hit coach
    Getting all your blood replaced
    Our sweet soft sons

    Sponsors
    - Raycon, where you can get 20% off
    - Zocdoc, where you can find and instantly book a doctor you love today
    - Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order

    Credits
    - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
    - Producer: Brandon Grugle, Multitude
    - Editor: Mischa Stanton, Multitude
    - Production Services & Ads: Multitude
    - Subscribe to Defector!

    About The Show
    The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.
    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

    We Americans Know Better with Diana Moskovitz & Dave McKenna

    07/09/2026 | 50 mins.
    Drew has finally vanquished Roth, so fellow Defectors Diana Moskovitz and Dave McKenna are on the show! First, World Cup – who’s rooting for who? Are either of them for it coming ‘ome to England? How expensive are these tickets exactly?! Then, they open up the fun bag to answer real questions from Defector readers and Distraction listeners. Can this one easy rule change make soccer exciting for Americans?

    Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

    Stuff We Talked About
    Half price burgers on Monday nights
    Enormous badonkadonks
    Different Europe
    Korean light sticks
    Gaelic football’s superior rules

    Sponsors
    - MeUndies, where you can get up to 50% off their Subscribe & Save deal

    Credits
    - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
    - Producer: Brandon Grugle
    - Editor: Mischa Stanton
    - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts
    - Subscribe to Defector!

    About The Show
    The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

    Give the Lobster a Knife

    07/02/2026 | 47 mins.
    It’s summer vacation season, and that means a classic Drew and Roth solo episode. Many digressions ensue, then they open up the funbag to answer real questions from real listeners, like: what’s the wildest thing they’ve done while intoxicated? and what’s the most disgusting raw food? Happy summer, everyone!

    Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

    Stuff We Talked About
    Doctor Who
    A record
    Jasper’s Apple TV theory
    Waking up with a turd in your shorts
    Elder pizza excellence

    Sponsors
    - Factor, where you can get 50% off and free daily greens per box
    - Mint Mobile, where new customers can get three months of premium wireless service for $15 a month

    Credits
    - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
    - Producer: Brandon Grugle
    - Editor: Mischa Stanton
    - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts
    - Subscribe to Defector!

    About The Show
    The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.
    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

    The Last Refuge of Scoundrels with Kelsey McKinney & Alex Sujong Laughlin

    06/25/2026 | 1h 4 mins.
    Kelsey is here! Drew is not! Alex Sujong Laughlin is also here to discuss the new season of Try Hard, the first episode of which just came out last week. Alex has written some really good and really scathing stuff about the scourge of The Video Podcast—how is she trying to make this one different and better? Also, Kelsey is about to disappear for a month to write a book. How does she tackle the mental and emotional challenge of locking in for that kind of thing? Finally, Roth is taught about Love Island, and they open up the funbag to answer real questions from Defector readers and Distraction listeners.

    Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

    Stuff We Talked About
    Speedrunning a sewing class, any%
    Fiber
    A sex barracks & other lustfulness
    Shaking the ant farm
    Men learning basic skills
    A wombat with the zoomies

    Credits
    - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
    - Producer: Brandon Grugle
    - Editor: Mischa Stanton
    - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts
    - Subscribe to Defector!

    About The Show
    The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.
    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

    Sports! (The Human Spirit) with Ray Ratto

    06/18/2026 | 58 mins.
    Ray Ratto joins Drew and Roth to talk about two cups, Stanley and World. But first, on a scale of Not Very to Maybe A Little, how happy is Ray for New Yorkers right now? Then, because Drew does not watch nor care about either the Vegas Golden Knights or the Carolina Hurricanes, he asks Ray – was it a good Stanley Cup? Also, the US men’s team looked genuinely good in their first group match. Should we be getting our hopes up for this team? Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from Defector listeners.

    Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

    Stuff We Talked About
    A cat in a blender singing backup for Taylor Swift
    Indifference to your joy
    F**king yourself as good policy
    Bad energy stink lines
    Penile moves

    Sponsors
    - Zocdoc, where you can find and instantly book a doctor you love today.

    Credits
    - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
    - Producer: Brandon Grugle
    - Editor: Mischa Stanton
    - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts
    - Subscribe to Defector!

    About The Show
    The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
More Society & Culture podcasts
About The Distraction: A Defector Podcast
Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voice mails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.
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